The Relationship Between Spiritual Caregiving and Compassion Levels Among Turkish Nurses: An ICU Case Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Research
• Qualitative and Quantitative Studies

Background:

• Spiritual caregiving and compassion are crucial components of holistic patient care.
• Understanding these elements among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses is vital for improving patient outcomes.
• Limited research exists on the interplay between compassion and spiritual caregiving in Turkish ICU settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the levels of spiritual caregiving and compassion among Turkish ICU nurses.
• To examine the relationship between compassion and spiritual caregiving in this specific nursing population.
• To provide insights into cultural influences on these nursing practices.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive and correlational study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 135 ICU nurses at a Turkish university hospital.
• Validated instruments, including the Compassion Scale (CS) and Spiritual Care-Giving Scale (SCGS), were utilized.

Main Results:

• Turkish ICU nurses reported high mean scores for both compassion and spiritual caregiving.
• A significant positive correlation was found between compassion and spiritual caregiving scores.
• Specific subscales, such as 'common humanity' for compassion and 'spirituality perspectives' for spiritual caregiving, showed the highest scores.

Conclusions:

• Turkish ICU nurses demonstrate a strong capacity for compassion and spiritual caregiving.
• Compassion and spiritual caregiving are positively interrelated among these nurses.
• Further cross-cultural and experimental research is recommended to validate these findings and explore causal relationships.